While coming down heavily on Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over the coal scam in Barak Valley, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday termed Sonowal as a ‘post-active CM’ rather than a ‘pro-active CM’.
Bringing allegations against Bharatiya Janata Party-led State Government, APCC general secretary and senior spokesperson Ramen Borthakur during a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, said, “The State Government is involved in syndicate across the State whether it is in coal or other sectors.”
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Lashing out at the State Government over the coal scam, Borthakur said, “The betel nut syndicate in Golaghat, oil syndicate in Digboi Oil Terminus, coal scam in the Barak Valley and Margherita have proved that the Government is a liar. They may deny but they have to accept the bitter truth that syndicates during the BJP regime are going on in full swing across the State.”
While criticising Assam Government’s decision to hand over the coal scam case in the Barak Valley to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Borthakur said, “Sonowal has failed to fulfil the promises made before the 2016 Assembly elections. The much-hyped ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption of the BJP-led Government was just a tale.”
It may be mentioned that the coal scam in the Barak Valley came to light immediately after the arrest of one Abdul Ahad Choudhury in the valley.
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Besides, presenting an observation document of the National Green Tribunal in the Shridhar Vs Union of India case during the press conference, Borthakur alleged, “BJP’s Margherita legislator Bhaskar Sarma is also involved in the coal scam in Margherita under Tinsukia district.”
“The Tinsukia district administration and police have maintained silence in the matter,” he said.
Talking on the adverse effect on the eco-system of Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary due to uninterrupted coal mining in Margherita, Borthakur said, “The uninterrupted coal mining has affected the eco-system of the wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is now on the verge of extinction.”
“The spontaneous coal mining in Margherita has also posed a serious threat to the human health in the sub-division,” he said.
Further, the APCC spokesperson demanded a proper investigation into the coal scam case.